Multi-wavelength beam splitting systems for simultaneous imaging of a distant object in two or more spectral channels using a single camera

Abstract

An optical imaging system and related methods are provided that acquire images of an object at a distance in different spectral regions using only one camera. The systems and methods are adaptable to applications where information (simultaneous or sequential) from more than one spectral region is of interest while only one camera is available or entailed.

That which is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A multi-wavelength beam splitting optical system comprising:
 a single camera having a single imaging lens, the single camera configured to capture two or more images in two or more spectral channels from a same field of view using the single camera sensor.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system is configured for both close-field and far-field imaging. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system is configured for far-field imaging with a field of view of no less than 1 cm×1 cm. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the two or more images taken by the single camera are exact duplicates. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the two or more images contain a same spatial resolution from the sample and are identical pixel to pixel. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system performs is without the need for image alignment and/or registration during image acquisition or post-image acquisition. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system further comprises a lens system including a plurality of integrated convex lenses, dichroic mirrors, 45 degree reflectors, and interference filters allowing a reduction in divergence of the off-axis rays such that resulting images are not blurred. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the system has a fixed working distance and an adjustable field of view. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the field of view of the system is adjusted by integrating different square apertures and/or different convex lenses into the system. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a square aperture, wherein a z-axis position, and orientation of the square aperture is adjusted using an opti-mechanical mounting unit. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the opti-mechanical mounting unit comprises a U-shaped three element lens mount assembly configured to facilitate alignment of the beam splitting system by reducing the adjustment steps. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system is configured for real-time imaging and does not require alignment during an imaging procedure. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the two or more spectral channels comprise reflectance imaging, Laser Speckle Imaging, Laser Doppler Imaging, Near-Infrared Fluorescence Imaging, and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the single camera performs simultaneous multiple image capturing to reduce the likelihood of camera synchronization and/or triggering. 
     
     
         15 . A camera for use in a multi-wavelength beam splitting optical system, the camera comprising:
 a single imaging lens, the camera being configured to capture two or more images in two or more spectral channels from a same field of view using the camera.   
     
     
         16 . The camera of  claim 15 , wherein the two or more images taken by the camera are exact duplicates. 
     
     
         17 . The camera of  claim 16 , wherein the two or more images contain a same spatial resolution from the sample and are identical pixel to pixel. 
     
     
         18 . The camera of  claim 15 , wherein the two or more spectral channels comprise reflectance imaging, Laser Speckle Imaging, Laser Doppler Imaging, Near-Infrared Fluorescence Imaging, and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         19 . The camera of  claim 15 , further configured to perform simultaneous multiple image capturing to reduce the likelihood of camera synchronization and/or triggering. 
     
     
         20 . A method for operating a multi-wavelength beam splitting optical system, the method comprising capturing two or more images in two or more spectral channels from a same field of view using a single camera having a single imaging lens.